神眼中的三種畜類(耶10章)

耶利米先知持續對百姓的悖道、至死不渝的犯罪本性哀哭。本章看見三次提到畜類：

一、列國的智慧人盡都是畜類

耶和華阿！沒有能比你的．你本為大、有大能大力的名。萬國的王阿！誰不敬畏你？敬畏你本是合宜的．因為在列國的智慧人中、雖有政權的尊榮、也不能比你。他們盡都是畜類、是愚昧的。偶像的訓誨算甚麼呢？偶像不過是木頭。(耶 10：6-8)

今天的世人越來越自高自大，隨便一點成就就可以成為目光的焦點。而且世人對於這些物質的條件，極盡吹捧之能事，仔細想其實也都不是甚麼很特別的點，卻也可以吹捧上天。而且，幾天一小捧，幾個月一大捧，每天每天都有被吹捧上天的人，形成今天這裡所說的「列國中的智慧人」，因著被眾人吹捧，於是自高自大，目中無人，更別說他們有正確敬拜神的心，所以「盡都是畜類」。

二、雕刻偶像的世人都成了畜類

各人都成了畜類、毫無知識．各銀匠都因他雕刻的偶像羞愧．他所鑄的偶像、本是虛假的、其中並無氣息．都是虛無的、是迷惑人的工作．到追討的時候、必被除滅。(耶 10：14-15)

前面說成了偶像的人是畜類，那些吹捧偶像的人也是畜類，因為沒有知識。人有何好崇拜的？日光之下沒有新鮮事，所以這些看似新奇的事又有何好驚訝的？頂大學歷又如何？姣好的容貌又如何？世界首富又如何？沒有真信仰，這些都是枉然，吹捧的人都成了畜類。

三、不求問神的牧人都成了畜類

因為牧人都成為畜類、沒有求問耶和華．所以不得順利、他們的羊群也都分散。(耶 10：21)

成為神所揀選的牧人，若不知求問神，他再高再淵博的學識都沒用，能力再強也無用，因為神的工皆是靈戰，不是屬物質的武器、屬世的能力與智慧所能面對的。開再多的會又有何用？做再多的分析又有何用？不知禱告、沒有每天讀經求問神的旨意，因此必不得順利，他們的羊群也都分散。

正如今天其他基督教派也都在吶喊的極普遍的問題：為何教友紛紛離去？為何青年不來聚會？原因是因為牧人不知追求真信仰，牧人都成了是畜類，何必再來教會？

神造萬物，唯獨人類知道拜神，因為懂不懂得拜神，是人類與畜類之間最主要的區別。人一旦沒有拜神的能力，就與畜類沒有分別。心中敬畏神，凡事求問神，就必會謹慎小心一切所行的，成為神所愛的人。

那些隨肉身、縱污穢的情慾、輕慢主治之人的、更是如此．他們膽大任性、毀謗在尊位的也不知懼怕．....。但這些人好像沒有靈性、生來就是畜類、以備捉拿宰殺的．他們毀謗所不曉得的事、正在敗壞人的時候、自己必遭遇敗壞．(彼後 2：10-12)

所以當我們還在追星、追偶像、追時尚時；當我們還在高舉智慧、財富、地位，或是其他屬世的條件時；當我們是一個不愛聚會、不愛禱告、不讀聖經，總是我行我素做決策的教會牧者時，我們已經不是人，而是神眼中的畜類，是預備要被捉拿來宰殺的。我們當時時藉著讀聖經、照靈魂的鏡子，趕緊回轉，恢復人形，保持敬虔的心，並有基督的樣式才是。

因而我心裏發酸、肺腑被刺．我這樣愚昧無知、在你面前如畜類一般。然而我常與你同在．你攙着我的右手。你要以你的訓言引導我、以後必接我到榮耀裏。(詩 73：21-24)

By Isaiah Kao

Three Kinds of Beasts in God's Eyes (Jeremiah 10)

July 7, 2026

The prophet Jeremiah continued to lament for the people's rebellion and their unwavering criminal nature. In this chapter, the word "beasts" appears three times:

1. The Wise Men of the Nations Have All Become Beasts

“There is none like You, LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might. Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For it is Your due! For among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, There is no one like You. But they are altogether stupid and foolish, The instruction from idol is nothing but wood!” (Jeremiah 10:6–8, NASB 2020)

People today are becoming increasingly proud and self-exalting. Even a small achievement can make someone the center of attention. The world praising people's conditions of these substances,  Yet, when we look carefully, many of these things are not truly extraordinary. Nevertheless, people continue to flatter and exalt them beyond measure.

Every few days there is a new celebrity to admire, and every few months another person is elevated to the highest pedestal. These are the "wise men of the nations" described here. Surrounded by constant praise, they become arrogant, look down on others, and have no heart to worship the true God. Therefore, in God's eyes, they have all become beasts.

2. Those Who Make and Worship Idols Have Become Beasts

“Every person is stupid, devoid of knowledge; Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, For his cast metal images are deceitful, And there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work of mockery; At the time of their punishment they will perish.” (Jeremiah 10:14–15, NASB 2020)

The previous passage says that those who become idols are beasts. This passage teaches that those who create, praise, and worship idols have also become beasts because they are without  knowledge.

Why should human beings be worshipped? There is nothing new under the sun. Why should we be amazed by things that merely appear to be new? What is so remarkable about graduating from a prestigious university? What is so great about physical beauty? What is so extraordinary about becoming the richest person in the world? Without the true faith, all these things are in vain. Those who glorify such things have also become beasts.

3. Shepherds Who Do Not Seek the LORD Have Become Beasts

“For the shepherds have become stupid And have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, And all their flock is scattered.” (Jeremiah 10:21, NASB 2020)

A person may be chosen by God to be a shepherd, but if he does not seek the LORD, then no amount of education, knowledge, or ability will help him. God's work is spiritual warfare. It cannot be carried out by worldly wisdom, human ability, or material resources.

What is the use of holding countless meetings? What is the use of endless discussions and analyses? If a shepherd does not pray, does not read the Bible daily, and does not seek God's will, he will not prosper, and the flock under his care will be scattered.

This is also a common cry heard in many Christian denominations today: Why are members leaving? Why are young people no longer attending services? The reason is that many shepherds no longer pursue the true faith. They have become beasts in God's eyes. If that is the case, why would people continue coming to church?

God created all living creatures, but only human beings know how to worship Him. The ability to worship God is one of the greatest distinctions between humans and animals. Once a person loses the heart to worship God, he has, in a spiritual sense, returned to the level of a beast.

Those who fear God and seek His guidance in everything will walk carefully in all they do and become people whom God delights in.

“and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt passion and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties... But these people, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed.” (2 Peter 2:10–12, NASB 2020)

Therefore, when we chase celebrities and idols; when we exalt wisdom, wealth, social status, or other worldly advantages; or when we are church leaders who neglect services, prayer, and Bible reading, making decisions according to our own will instead of seeking God, then in God's eyes we are no longer living as true human beings—we have become beasts, destined to be captured and destroyed.May we continually use God's Word as a mirror to examine ourselves. Let us repent without delay, recover the image God intended for us, and be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

“When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was stupid and ignorant; I was like an animal before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. You will guide me with Your plan, And afterward receive me to glory.” (Psalm 73:21–24, NASB 2020)

By Isaiah Kao